News

An imaginative new sculpture and outdoor study area will officially open for pupils at Turlin Moor Community Middle School on Tuesday 28 May.

The sculpture, designed by local parents, Jeni Dennett and Gordon Pitt, combines the features of nature and Poole’s local environment with a distinctive lizard and sail theme.

Since early 2000, children from Turlin Moor Community Middle School and members from the local community have worked with staff from the Art & Design School at Bournemouth and Poole College to develop and design the sculpture.

Nearly 2metres high and 3metres wide, as part of its distinctive design, the sculpture’s lizard tail forms a seat and is located in a specially created garden study area with planting and seating for the children.

Paul Chadwick, Headteacher, said: "This has been a wonderful project which really caught the imagination of the whole community. The children at the school have been involved the whole way through, giving their ideas for the initial design work and choosing the final design. Everyone has been really excited to see the work in progress and there is a great sense of achievement now that we can see the final results".

As part of the project, parents from the school worked with Art & Design staff from Bournemouth & Poole College on initial designs, drawings and models for the sculpture. Pupils from the school had the final say on models produced by their parents, choosing to combine designs by Jeni and Gordon as well as the final location for the sculpture.

Modelled in clay and cast in long lasting weather proof ciment-fondu, the unique sculpture also includes the signatures of all the children and staff at the school.

Les Lees, Head of Art, Design & Media, Bournemouth & Poole College, said: "The excellent co-operation between the school and the College, coupled with the hard work and determination of Jeni and Gordon who were eager to learn about sculpture, has resulted in a monumental piece of work. What has been produced is something the children, school, community and the two novice sculptors should be very proud of. From the original ideas, to working in the outdoor studio in all weathers at weekends, the children have watched the development of what is now a major focal point to the school."

Designer, Gordon Pitt, who’s son Gordon aged 8 and daughter Trudie, aged 11 attend the school, said: "It was a fantastic project to work on and a lot of hard work. With the help and support of the College, we did a huge amount of research into the techniques, size and materials needed to make a really good sculpture. I learnt a great deal and enjoyed the chance to learn something new at my age! The project has started something and I’m looking forward to trying something else at the College now."

For more information contact:

Paul Chadwick, Headteacher, Turlin Moor Community Middle School, tel: 674045,

Peter Field, Marketing & Business Development Co-ordinator, Bournemouth & Poole College, tel: 01202 205906